Venus Condominiums--Unit 117 in Okaloosa Island

We've been vacationing at Venus Condominiums since 1975.  Each summer we see families who have been returning to this beach condo for nearly as long.  Last year, we met a guest who used to visit with toddlers.  Those two-year olds are now parents and bringing their children to Venus.  (Everyone shortens the name to “The Venus”.)

What is The Venus?  When I tell others new to the area how to find The Venus, I say, "Turn on to Hwy 98, drive two miles.  When you get to the condo that looks like a 70's style motel, you are there."  You can't go much farther.  Less than one mile to the west, the land becomes federal property.   There is no development on this stretch until Navarre Beach, approximately 20 miles away.

This unoccupied land includes the beach, so that Venus guests can walk 100 yards westward along the most beautiful white sand in the world and may not encounter anyone, particularly if they want to do some serious beach walking.

The beach is a family-friendly area, pristine and clean. In the summer when it's full tourist season, you can still find as much empty space as you would like.  You'll just move a bit more west.  To put this in perspective, Okaloosa Island, the two-mile stretch of land on which The Venus sits, lies between the Intracoastal waterway, or the Sound, as it is known locally and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Did I mention that the water is clear blue and sometimes blue-green?  Match this wonderful bright color with the sparkling white sands, bordered by the sand dunes topped by sea oats and you will think you have stumbled onto a Hollywood movie set.  

(A word about unpleasant weather conditions and man-made errors—This stretch of the gulf shore has weathered both hurricanes and oil spills.)  Amazing that Mother Nature with some help from well-planned and executed emergency plans, recovers nicely, thank you very much.  (See paragraph above.)

Back to the Venus...it’s not a giant condo.  Thankfully, on Okaloosa Island, all structures are limited to seven stories tall.

The Venus has three separate buildings--a three story (with elevator) facing Santa Rosa Boulevard, and a two-story wing on each side of the front structure.  All three buildings face a gorgeous oversized pool.   Tall, swaying palm trees dot the landscaped courtyard.  This is what The Venus is all about.  A beautiful courtyard, with wonderful grass (yes, I said grass) which serves as a protective barrier from other condos, the street, and most noises, other than what the kids are making.  (Another note--lights are turned off in the pool at 11 pm., but you can still sit outside and count the stars all night long.)

Unit 117 is on the first floor in the side wing; parking is RIGHT OUT FRONT, so if getting into the pool is the most important part of your vacation, it shouldn't take any more than 3-5 minutes to change into a bathing suit, exit through the patio door, run across the lawn and jump in.  

Two years ago, Unit 117 underwent a SERIOUS renovation.  In addition to being completely repainted, new carpeting was installed and the bathroom was renovated. There's a new stove and the refrigerator has an icemaker.  With the new leather recliner and the new sofa and love seat completing the makeover, Unit 117 sparkles. The sleeper sofa opens into a queen-size bed. (Cribs are available for a nominal charge.)

The living room features a 36" flat panel tv and DVD player, and the bedroom has it's own flat panel tv as well. The office has shelves of family-friendly and action DVD rentals.

For your teen who can't be away from his hoops, The Venus has a basketball net and court, (check out the basketball in the office) as well as tennis and shuffleboard courts and a bag toss.

There's an open-pit barbeque behind the pool cabana with plenty of space to set your drink while watching the ribs, fish, chicken, burgers, etc.

Bag ice is available on the property, but Unit 117's ice maker makes plenty of ice for all but the most lavish get-together.  

Even at the beach, clothes have to be washed. The Venus has a low-cost laundromat on the first floor.

From The Venus Courtyard, guests take an elevated boardwalk to the beach, approximately 100 yards from the last blade of grass in The Venus courtyard.  There's a slight incline on the boardwalk, so that when you reach the top, you are eye to eye with the sand dunes and sea oats.  Descend a few steps and sink your toes into the softest, finest, whitest, most pristeen sugar sand beach ANYWHERE.  (They rake the sand each morning.)

Okaloosa Island is known for its beach.  To enjoy non-beach activities, you can drive to HWY 98, turn left towards Ft. Walton or right towards Destin and points east and south, through which all life passes along this stretch of gulf coast.  Nightlife, bay and deep-sea fishing, parasailing, amusement park attractions and shopping are all available within a few miles.

If you can't go a week without hitting the stores, Serious Outlet Shopping is available at Silver Sands which is on the way to Sandestin.

Not to worry; there's plenty of nightlife...again, Destin or Ft. Walton are less than 10 miles from The Venus.

Stay for a mimimum of seven nights and receive TWO nights free.  A 7 night stay until April 14 ordinarily costs $720, but you will pay $514.   The 11% sales tax and a cleaning fee of $58.30 will be added to each reservation.  Discounted rates are also available for stays of 5 days (pay for 3) and 3 nights (pay for 2).

EXTRA SPECIAL SPECIAL--These rates are LOWER during April 14-May 19.  Same discounts apply--Stay for 7, pay for 5 ($475) , stay for 5, pay for 3 ($285), stay for 3, pay for two ($190.) 

BEACH PACKAGE PROMOTION 

Saving Money While Having Fun

Instead of the normal $25 daily charge for a beach umbrella and two chairs, The Venus will discount this fee and you will pay $15.  Enjoy!

Here's the Fine Print...

No personal checks, no smoking, no pets, and no exceptions.  We know that you will appreciate a clean, non-pet smelly unit and grassy courtyard.)

Singles under 25 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian to register and stay. 

Credit cards accepted (MasterCard, VISA and Discover).  A $200 deposit is required to hold the reservation which will be applied to your payment.  There are some additional rules; for the details please check with The Venus office when you make your booking. Nothing strange; just the sort that help The Venus stay in business.